NFLPA raises concerns over Rio field ahead of Cowboys-Ravens game

The NFL Players Association said the field at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracanã Stadium may not be ready for the Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens game scheduled for Sunday. In a post on X, NFLPA executive director JC Tretter said the surface was "loose, patchy" and could cause excessive slipping, affecting both player safety and game quality. He added that union and league field experts have been on site for several days and have recommended reinforced stitching and additional equipment to improve traction and stability, with monitoring to continue through kickoff.

Tretter also highlighted broader issues, noting that field standards must address both safety and performance and that two of the three previous NFL games in Brazil have faced similar problems. He warned that international expansion should not compromise field quality.

The league responded that player health is a shared priority and that NFL and union experts are confident the field will be ready. NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy said the field will comply with league standards.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, speaking on a Dallas radio show, expressed confidence that the field would be suitable for a good game, while acknowledging that playing in adverse weather has long been part of football.

The dispute comes amid ongoing debates between the NFL and the players’ union over field consistency, with the NFLPA previously urging a preference for natural grass surfaces that meet high-quality standards.